Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health’
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Take mindfulness breaks
Take mindfulness breaks
Use these brain breaks to support ākonga to take time out to practise calm for their mind, body and soul.
Invite students to share knowledge about calming or grounding activities from their own culture.
Source: Melon Manual
No captions or transcript
Offer tools to release tension
Offer tools to release tension
Movement often reduces tension and assists concentration.
Regular breaks throughout the day, supported by sensory tools, help students to stay focused and calm the nervous system.
Identify with students a range of equipment they would like to use. Consider:
- swiss balls
- ergonomic chairs
- adjustable seating
- equipment, such as bean bags, stress balls, fidget toys
- height-adjustable tables
- noise-reducing headphones
- weighted blanket
Create a calming box
Create a calming box
Create a calm box for your classroom.
Ask students to recommend objects to reduce agitation or self-soothe.
Include brain break activities.
Adapt to match age group.
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Calming box ideas |
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Word search |
Rubik’s Cube |
Mini massager |
Beads to string |
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Fidgets |
Small puzzle |
Playdough |
Stress balls |
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Eye mask |
Weaving activity |
Snow globe or kaleidoscope |
Weighted blanket |
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Noise cancelling headphones |
Colouring or drawing activity and pens |
Collection of heavy stones or decorative eggs to hold |
Visual calm down strategy cards |
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MP3 player with audio books, music guided meditations, or breathing exercises |
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Kinesthetic strategies
Kinesthetic strategies
Teach students approaches such as yoga or Tai Chi during structured movement breaks.
Explain how these are lifelong tools for wellness and managing stress.
Make explicit links to a Māori perspective on mindfullness.
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Source: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Reflective questions
Reflective questions
- How do you model the use of relaxation techniques to manage your own stress?
- How could you strengthen a culture that values self-care as an integral part of wellbeing?
- What small changes could you suggest to increase the relaxation options in your learning space?
- How can you include calming or grounding activities that draw from the cultures represented in your classroom?
- How will you connect the strategies you include in the classroom to a Māori perspective on mindfulness?
Useful resources
Useful resources
6 second pause strategy and posters
A set of posters for students introducing the calming strategy and its benefits.
Publisher: Goalbook
Managing emotions: Sparklers
Classroom activities designed for students in years 1–8.
Publisher: Sparklers
Mindfulness practice – free resources
A selection of short guided practices in Te Reo Māori and English for children and young adults to calm a busy or anxious mind.
Publisher: Mindfulness Education Group
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health”:
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Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
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Current page Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
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Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
Return to the guide “Behaviour and learning”
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How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
- Understanding behaviour
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Understanding how to respond to problem behaviourShow suggestions for Understanding how to respond to problem behaviour
Strategies for action:
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Foster positive relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster positive relationships and partnerships
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Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climateShow suggestions for Collaboratively develop a safe and caring culture and climate
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Supporting language and communication skillsShow suggestions for Supporting language and communication skills
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Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental healthShow suggestions for Support emotional wellbeing and positive mental health
- Anticipate, monitor, and plan for responding to child stress
- Strengthen student identity
- Teach stress management, anxiety and coping skills
- Offer relaxation options and downtime activities
- Teach how to recognise emotions and options for expressing feelings
- Providing support following traumatic experiences
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Enable access and participation in learningShow suggestions for Enable access and participation in learning
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Respond safely to challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond safely to challenging situations
